70 
FLORICULTURAL NOTICES. 
said by Sir W. J. Hooker to be a native of the neighbourhood of Rio Janeiro. In cultivation 
this requires to be potted in leaf-mould, with a quantity of potsherds for drainage. Plenty of 
water should be given during the summer months, but sparingly in winter. Or it may be grown 
suspended in a wire basket, like an orchidaceous plant. It is propagated by suckers. Bot. Reg. 19. 
NEW OR INTERESTING PLANTS IN FLOWER AT THE PRINCIPAL SUBURBAN 
NURSERIES. 
Bego^nia hydrocotylifo^lia. a pretty addition to the genus, having interesting foliage, 
which is somewhat variously marked, and hollow in the centre, like that of the common Hydro- 
cotyle of our northern moors. The leaves are borne on creeping stems, and are not more than two 
inches high, while the graceful panicles of delicate pink flowers rise to the height of six or eight 
inches. It is blooming freely in a stove at Messrs. Young's, Epsom. 
Brachyse^ma bractea^ta. This remarkable new species is flowering with Messrs. Henderson, 
of Pine-apple Place. It has very long lanceolate foliage, a rigid, erect habit, vvhich is apparently 
shrubby, and not climbing, and deep rich crimson blossoms, which appear in the axils of the 
leaves. When it comes to be carefully cultivated for a specimen, it will doubtless form a striking 
object. 
Coelg'gyne crista^ta. One of the loveliest of Orchidacere, on account of the truly snowy white- 
ness of its beautiful flowers. It has pseudo-bulbs of a rather compressedly oblong figure, with a very 
clear, and scarcely at all furrowed surface. From the base of the younger of these, the racemes 
of bloom issue, and after ascending a little, curve gracefully downwards. Seven or eight flowers 
are borne on each raceme, and as they are large and purely white, except a double yellow crest 
or fringe in the lip, they have an exceedingly attractive appearance. It has just ceased blooming 
with Messrs. RoHisson, of Tooting, the flowers having been open more than a month. 
Donckla'eria diversifo'lia. A very elegant little stove shrub, not more than six or eight 
inches in height, and branching most profusely. The leaves are small, mostly lanceolate, a little 
rough on the upper side, and deep pink or crimson below. A plant at Messrs. Young's, Epsom, 
is most liberally covered with neat, pale, bluish-coloured blossoms, which give it a very intei-esting 
aspect. 
Ho'vea sple'ndens. Mr, Knight, of the King's Road, Chelsea, has raised this new and 
extremely beautiful Hovea from Swan River seeds. It resembles H. Celsii in the richness of its 
bloom and the size of its foliage, but is apparently less diffuse in its habitude, and has diff'erently. 
formed leaves, which ai'e of a darker green tint, and are terminated by a long point, instead of 
being retuse. It is a most delightful acquisition, and has recently flowered in a warm greenhouse 
at the exotic nursery of the above gentleman. 
Ho'vea ? Another new species of Hovea, which has just flowered at Mr. Knight's 
nursery in the King's Road, Chelsea. It has very long, linear, or strap-shaped, pointed leaves, 
and beautiful bright-blue flowers, which are produced in clusters of three, at the axils of the 
foliage. It is a little like H. pungens, but materially different, and with smaller, as well as some- 
what lighter-coloured flowers. It promises to be interesting. 
Illi'cium religio'sum. We bring forward this species again, because it remains such a length 
of time in flower, blossoms being, in fact, developed all the winter. And though these are not 
showy, as their colour is a greenish-yellow, they are numerous, large, and semi-double, which 
renders them rather pleasing. The species is, besides, a handsome evergreen, flowering when 
only nine inches or a foot high. It is in bloom at Mr. Knight's, Chelsea, and at Messrs. Young's, 
Epsom. 
Maxilla'ria Steelii. This is both a curious and an ornamental Orchidaceous plant, and is 
now blossoming at Messrs. Loddiges' Hackney. The leaves are exceedingly long, cylindrical, and 
drooping, and the flowers issue from the lower part of the stem. These are of a deep cream- 
colour, richly marked with reddish-brown. The plant is often most erroneously treated, by being 
planted in a pot, and having its leaves fastened erectly to a stake ; whereas, it should be placed on 
a log of wood, suspended, and the leaves allowed to hang down naturally. In the latter way 
alone can it be made to bloom, or even kept alive for any length of time. 
